Eagle Scout accused of murder

February 26, 2004

WEYAUWEGA, WISCONSIN — Gary Hirte, a high school scholar, star athlete and Eagle Scout whose name seemed to be in the local paper all the time, is accused of committing murder--not for money, or revenge, but to see if he could get away with it.

The Weyauwega-Fremont High School senior was charged last month in an arrest that was met with shock and disbelief in this small town of 1,800, where Hirte has long been the golden boy. He was accused of killing 37-year-old Glenn Kopitske.

"It was like a challenge for him," sheriff's Capt. Steve Verwiel said. "I would attribute it to arrogance."

Hirte, 18, told friends about the crime, but none of them took him seriously, authorities said. Finally, five months after the slaying, a girl he once dated went to police because she feared he would commit suicide out of remorse.

Hirte apparently sought out and stalked Kopitske, a substitute teacher who ran unsuccessfully for state Assembly in 2000, authorities said. Verwiel would not say if the two knew each other.

Kopitske's mother found him dead Aug. 2 in his house about 7 miles outside of Weyauwega. He had been shot in the head and stabbed in the back and heart.

Hirte's attorneys asked to have the case dismissed Tuesday. Defense attorney Gerald Boyle said Hirte claims he was not involved in the murder. Boyle said Hirte will plead not guilty at his arraignment Thursday.